Al-Takāthur (The Rivalry in Worldly Increase): (8) Then you will surely be questioned that Day...

Verse: {Then you will surely be questioned that Day about the Naim (blessings)}

There are two main positions regarding this verse:

Position 1: They are the Disbelievers (Kuffār). This is the more apparent view.

Al-Hasan said: "None will be questioned about the Naim except the people of the Fire."

Two points support this:

1. Narration: It is narrated that when this verse was revealed, Abu Bakr asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): "O Messenger of Allah, what about a meal I ate with you at the house of Abu al-Haytham ibn al-Tihān—barley bread, meat, fresh dates, and sweet water—will we be questioned about that Naim?" The Prophet (PBUH) replied: "That is only for the disbelievers," and then recited: {And are We repaid except the ungrateful [Kafūr]} (Q 34:17).
2. Apparent Meaning: The outward sense of the verse indicates this. The disbelievers were preoccupied by rivalry in worldly matters and boasting about their pleasures, distracting them from obedience to Allah and thanking Him. Therefore, Allah will question them about these things on the Day of Resurrection to show them that what they thought was the source of their happiness was, in fact, one of the greatest causes of their misery in the Hereafter.

Position 2: It is general, applying to both the believer and the disbeliever.

They cite narrations as evidence:

• Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "The first thing a servant will be questioned about on the Day of Resurrection is the Naim. It will be said to him: 'Did We not make your body healthy and quench your thirst with cold water?'"
• Mahmūd ibn Labīd narrated that when this Sūrah was revealed, they asked: "O Messenger of Allah, are we to be questioned about Naim? It is only water and dates, and our swords are on our shoulders while the enemy is present." He replied: "(That time) will come."
• It is narrated that 'Umar said: "What Naim are we to be questioned about, O Messenger of Allah, when we were driven out of our homes and wealth?" He replied: "(It is about) the shade of the dwellings, the trees, the coverings that protected you from heat and cold, and the cold water on a hot day."
• Similar to this is the saying: "Whoever wakes up safe in his community, healthy in his body, and possesses the provision for his day, it is as if the entire world has been gathered for him."
• It is narrated that a young man embraced Islam during the time of the Prophet (PBUH). The Prophet taught him Sūrat Al-Takāthur, then married him to a woman. When he entered upon her and saw the great furnishings and abundant pleasures, he left and said, "I do not want that." The Prophet asked him about it, and he replied: "Did you not teach me: {Then you will surely be questioned that Day about the Naim}? And I cannot bear to answer for that."
• From Anas: When the verse was revealed, a needy person stood up and asked: "Is there anything of blessing upon me?" He replied: "The shade, the two sandals, and the cold water."
• The most famous narration regarding this is that the Prophet (PBUH) went out one night to the mosque. Soon after, Abu Bakr arrived and asked: "What brought you out, O Abu Bakr?" He replied: "Hunger." The Prophet said: "By Allah, nothing brought me out except what brought you out." Then 'Umar arrived, saying the same. The Prophet said: "Let us go to the house of Abu al-Haytham." The Prophet knocked and greeted three times, but no one answered, so he turned to leave. The wife of Abu al-Haytham came out crying, saying: "We heard your voice, but we wanted you to increase your greetings." He told her, "Good." Then she said: "May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, Abu al-Haytham went out to fetch us cold water." Then she proceeded to grind a sāʿ of barley, bake bread, and when Abu al-Haytham returned, he slaughtered a young goat and brought them fresh dates. They ate and drank, and the Prophet (PBUH) said: "(This is from the Naim about which you will be questioned)."
• It is also narrated: "The feet of a servant will not move until he is questioned about four things: his life—how he spent it; his youth—how he wore it out; his wealth—how he acquired it and how he spent it; and his knowledge—what he did with it."
• It is narrated from Mu'adh from the Prophet (PBUH): "The servant will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection even about the kohl in his eyes, the speck of clay on his finger, and touching his brother's garment."

Conclusion on the Questioning: The soundest position is that the questioning encompasses both the believer and the disbeliever. However, the questioning of the disbeliever is a reproach because he neglected gratitude (shukr), while the questioning of the believer is an honor because he was grateful and obedient.

They mentioned several interpretations:

1. Six Blessings: It is narrated that they are five (though the text lists six items): Full stomachs, cold drinks, the pleasure of sleep, the shade of dwellings, and the moderation of temperament/physique.
2. Ibn Mas'ūd said: Security (al-Amn), health (al-Ṣiḥḥah), and free time (al-Farāgh).
3. Ibn 'Abbās said: Health and all the delights of food and drink.
4. Some said: The benefit derived from the senses of hearing and sight.
5. Al-Ḥasan ibn al-Faḍl said: The lightening of religious laws (Sharā’iʿ) and the ease of the Qur'an.
6. Ibn 'Umar said: Cold water.
7. Al-Bāqir said: Well-being (al-'Āfiyah). It is also narrated from Jābir al-Ju'fī that he asked Al-Bāqir about the verse. Al-Bāqir asked what the interpreters say. Jābir replied they say shade and cold water. Al-Bāqir responded: "If you brought someone into your house, seated him in the shade, and gave him cold water to drink, would you hold it over him as a favor?" Jābir said: "No." Al-Bāqir said: "Then Allah is more noble than to feed and quench His servant and then question him about it." Jābir asked for the interpretation, and Al-Bāqir said: "The Naim is the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), the blessing with which Allah favored this world, rescuing them from misguidance. Have you not heard the verse: {Allah has certainly conferred a favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger...}?"
8. Eighth View: They are only questioned about the excess beyond what is necessary (food, clothing, and shelter).
9. Ninth View (The Strongest): It must be applied to all blessings. Evidence for this:
   • The definite article al- (in al-Naim) implies comprehensiveness (Istighrâq).
   • It is not preferable to restrict the term to some parts while excluding others, especially since evidence shows that the required use of worldly benefits is to occupy oneself with the servitude of Allah.
   • Allah says: {O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I conferred upon you...} (Q 2:40), referring to all blessings, like splitting the sea, saving them from Pharaoh, and sending down Manna and Quail. The same applies here.
   • Perfect Naim is like a single entity with parts and limbs. When Naim is mentioned, everything is included, just as Tiryāq (theriac/antidote) is the name for a compound of many medicines; when Tiryāq is mentioned, all its components are included.

Further Elaboration on Blessings:

Blessings are categorized: apparent and hidden, continuous and intermittent, religious and worldly. We have previously discussed the categories of happiness based on genus in the exegesis of the beginning of this Sūrah. Enumerating them by type and individual is impossible, as Allah says: {And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them} (Q 14:34).

To know the blessings upon you:

• Regarding the health of your body, consult physicians—yet they are the most heedless of creation.
• Regarding the blessings of the creation of the heavens and stars, consult astrologers—yet they are the most ignorant of the Creator.
• Regarding the sovereignty of Allah, consult kings—yet they are the most ignorant of creation.

As for the narration from Ibn 'Umar that it is cold water: This means it is part of the whole. Perhaps it was singled out because it is the easiest thing to find and the most precious when absent. This is like Ibn al-Sammāk's saying to Harun al-Rashid: "If you were in a desert and needed a drink of water, would you give half your kingdom for it?" Do not be deceived by a kingdom where a single drink of water was worth twice its value! Or, it is mentioned because the people of Hell desire water more intensely than anything else, as Allah says: {Pour down on us water...} (Q 3:133). Or, because the Sūrah was revealed concerning the affluent, who were particularly fond of cold water and shade.

The Truth: The questioning encompasses both the believer and the disbeliever regarding all blessings, whether they were necessities or not. This is because all blessings must be directed toward obedience to Allah, not disobedience. Thus, the questioning covers everything. This is reinforced by the narration that the servant's feet will not move until he is questioned about four things: his life (how he spent it), his youth (how he wore it out), his wealth (how he acquired it and how he spent it), and his knowledge (what he did with it). All blessings from Allah fall under what the Prophet (PBUH) mentioned.

Position 1: This questioning occurs at the Station of Reckoning (Mawqif al-Ḥisāb).

If it is objected: "This is inconsistent, because Allah informed us that this questioning is subsequent to witnessing Hellfire by saying: {Then you will surely be questioned}, while the Station of Questioning precedes witnessing Hellfire?"

Response: The meaning of {Then (Thumma)} here is: "Then, We inform you that you will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection." This is like the structure in: {Or freeing a slave or feeding on a day of severe hunger...} followed by {Then he was among those who believed} (Q 90:12-17).

Position 2: They will be questioned about the Naim as a form of reproach after entering the Fire.

This is similar to what is said: {Whenever a group is cast therein, its keepers ask them...} (Q 67:8) and {What has brought you into Saqar?} (Q 74:27). The coming of the Messenger is undoubtedly a blessing from Allah, so they are questioned about it after entering the Fire.

Alternatively, when they enter the Fire and witness it, they will be told: "This punishment has befallen you because, in the worldly abode, you were preoccupied with Naim instead of the deeds that would save you from this Fire. If you had devoted your lives to the obedience of your Lord, you would today be among the saved, attaining high ranks." This would constitute a question from the angels about their worldly blessings.

And Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, knows best. May Allah send blessings upon our Master Muhammad, his family, and his companions.